Chapter 04: Crossing the Line of Professionalism

ANNE

Before he could answer, the elevator doors opened. Some executives were already waiting for us ahead. After a few handshakes and formalities, we joined the group and made our way to the room where the meeting would take place.

I couldn't feel entirely comfortable during the presentation, maybe because Bryce was sitting to my right, and every time I turned to show something on the screen, I had the impression he was looking at my ass. It might have just been in my head, but I was relieved when he finally took over the presentation and I could sit down.

The meeting lasted for approximately an hour. We were about to leave when Bryce received a phone call and said we could go back to the office without him.

Luke didn't seem too disappointed about the idea of going back alone with me. At least I wouldn't have to spend more time alone with Bryce in a confined space, especially after what happened earlier. I could imagine how uncomfortable that would be.

With Luke, there wasn't that sense of discomfort, but despite always trying to make me feel at ease, he was still a handsome and extremely sexy man who was interested in me. So, inevitably, there was always a bit of tension in the air.

However, the conversation always flowed naturally between us, and he always made me laugh. So, why shouldn't I go out with him? He's not my boss, not directly. All this time, I had been turning down his invitations only because he was a Forbes or because of Bryce?

It's time to stop caring about what Bryce will think of me. He's my boss, but he doesn't have the right to say anything about my personal life. And certainly can't decide who I go out with or not.

But would Joel and Amelia approve of my involvement with one of their sons? Maybe it was too early to think about that. After all, what were the chances of something with Luke evolving into something more serious? Considering he's a ladies' man, I guess I shouldn't worry about it.

When we arrived at Forbes Media, I left Luke on his floor and went up to mine alone, still wondering if I should agree to go out with him. The day was almost over, but we still had a team alignment meeting at five. Which meant Bryce wouldn't take long to return.

I busied myself preparing the conference room for the meeting during the next half hour. Meanwhile, I took the opportunity to list the pros and cons of accepting to go out with Luke.

The pros were that he's a nice guy, intelligent, and very hot, and I'd bet he also knows what to do with a woman. That made the idea even more appealing. And then there were the cons, which were basically Bryce's total disapproval and that I could be violating the company's code of ethics and jeopardizing my career.

This could really go south. Damn it. Maybe I should just call Fabien and set something up.

It's been a while since we've seen each other, but we have good chemistry. Maybe more than good, considering he can make me come. Which was an impossible feat for all the other men I've been with. I'm sure he wouldn't decline. But considering that the last few times he was trying to move on to something beyond casual, I don't know if it's a good idea.

A strange feeling came over me. Missing him? I couldn't miss him. All we ever had was casual. Maybe it was just because he was a nice guy who knew when to be affectionate. That was extremely dangerous. But that wasn't the only reason that made him dangerous.

Fabien was the opposite of all the stuffy executives I dealt with every day. So much so that he seemed to come from one of my hottest fantasies. His body was almost entirely covered in tattoos. Not just a few here and there, no, they started right above his hip line and covered his ripped abdomen, chest, arms, back, and neck, and continued up his nape to the back of his head, reaching above his ears. They were damn sexy, especially when he cut his hair and the tattoos on his head became visible.

And as if that weren't enough, Fabien was a firefighter and had a German accent. Maybe that would be enough to explain my orgasms. I confess that the first time I saw him in uniform, I thought about “accidentally” starting a fire in my apartment just to watch him in action. Okay, maybe there was more than one reason to miss him.

When I finally finished preparing the meeting room, I returned to my desk. Bryce's office door was open, which meant he had returned. I needed to wash my hands, so I went to the bathroom.

Minutes later, as I was leaving, I heard voices coming from the conference room. Bryce's office door was closed, so I assumed someone had already arrived for the meeting.

After grabbing my things, I began to walk down the hallway. With each step, the voices became clearer, and I recognized Luke's voice. I stopped in front of the door, about to open it, when Bryce's voice made me hesitate.

"Give it up; you're being pathetic; she'll never agree to go out with you. I'm sure of that."

From his tone, he seemed a bit impatient. Was he talking about me? How the hell could he be sure I wouldn't go out with Luke? That was too presumptuous, even for him.

The worst part was that he was right; I had just decided not to go out with Luke, afraid that it might harm my career. But how did he know?

Screw it! I would prove him wrong.

Opening the door, I walked in and sat in one of the chairs at the large table in the center of the conference room. The two of them stood by one of the floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

Ignoring them, I put my things on the table and picked up my cell phone, intending to send Luke a message.

I typed the first thing that came to mind.

Anne: "You said a message would suffice. So... are you free on Saturday?"

One minute after sending the message, I started feeling like a fool for agreeing to go out with Luke just to prove Bryce wrong. Hell, Bryce made me act like an idiot sometimes, driven by my desire to prove him wrong.

Okay, I could just ignore that and focus on the fact that I was really interested in Luke. After all, it wouldn't be a sacrifice to go out with someone like him.

Some people started to arrive for the meeting. It made me miss Alexa. She wasn't due to return from her vacation in Italy until next week. She would probably have a lot of crazy stories to tell me.

Alexa had been working as Luke's assistant for just over two years. She joined Forbes Media after me, but since we worked directly with the big shots, we ended up becoming a great team. Besides being my confidante, she became a true friend. I couldn't wait to see her reaction when I told her about the elevator incident with Bryce.

As soon as the team meeting ended and the next week's planning and goals were aligned, people began to leave. Once again, it was just the Forbes brothers and me. I checked the time on my phone; there were only ten minutes until the end of the workday. Bryce and Luke were still discussing work matters.

I stood up and started collecting my things. A second later, I felt Luke's eyes on me.

"Why not today?" he said, getting my attention.

I blinked, confused.

"What?"

"Why wait until Saturday? Aren't you free today?"

So, I understood. He was talking about my message. For some reason, I didn't think he would mention it in front of his brother.

"I think you can wait just a little longer."

"Yeah, I think I can. I've been doing this for a long time. Until then, I can enjoy this moment of victory." He winked, making me smile. "Well, I'll be on my way. See you tomorrow, little brother."

My eyes shifted to Bryce, who, as always, had an unreadable expression. For a few seconds, I just forgot he was listening.

"See you tomorrow, Anne," Luke said.

I waved in response before he began to walk towards the door, closing it after he left. Soon, the room was filled with silence.

"Before I go, is there anything else you need, Mr. Forbes?" I asked, holding my things.

He remained silent for a while, making me think he would simply ignore me.

"From what I understand, you intend to go out with my brother?"

His eyes finally met mine, and I held his gaze firmly. It was always hard not to get lost in those deep blue eyes.

Bryce could usually intimidate anyone, besides me, with that gaze and his slightly arched eyebrows, which gave him an angry expression. I just found it utterly sexy. Maybe that's what kept me from strangling him until now.

"Yes, you understand perfectly."

"Is this some kind of joke?"

"No, why would it be?"

"You must be aware of how inappropriate this is and that it can have consequences."

"Is this a threat?"

"Maybe it was a mistake of mine to think you took your job seriously."

"Don't do that... don't try to use that as an excuse to question my competence."

"He is your superior, and we have some policies about this kind of relationship. I won't let my brother harm the company's image just because he decided to have an affair with an employee."

Son of a bitch. He was trying to insinuate that I was a slut and, at the same time, belittle me? Anger boiled inside me. I was thinking of all the ways to kill him. But this time I couldn't just ignore him; he was being a jerk.

"Technically, he's not my boss. And you know what? Screw you!" I growled before turning and stepping forcefully, in my heels, towards the exit.

"Starling..."

I ignored him.

"I didn't say you could leave," he said when I was about to open the door, making me stop.

Anger surged through my body. What was he thinking? That he owned me? I could feel rage taking over every cell in my body.

I thought about grabbing the first thing I found and throwing it at him, but I just watched as he stood up, pushing his chair back. He piled some folders and papers on the table.

"Leave that on my desk," he said before moving away and getting closer to one of the huge windows.

Bastard. I contemplated telling him to take it himself and just open the door and leave. But I knew that sometimes I had to just shut up and do whatever the hell he asked because I had learned that it wasn't worth arguing with Bryce Forbes about how much of a damn bastard he could be. It wouldn't help because he'd still be my boss the next day.

Ignoring his absurdities was always the smartest thing to do, especially if I wanted to keep my sanity. He was an asshole, and as intelligent as he was, he didn't seem to care to keep acting like that, even though he was aware of it.

In silence, I approached the desk to collect the stack.

Sometimes I really miss Joel. Why did he have to retire so early? Why didn't he choose Luke over Bryce? Certainly, it was because Luke seemed quite content with the role of head of public relations. But how the hell could that jerk be someone like Joel's son?

A shiver ran through my body, and my thoughts were abruptly interrupted when his huge body pressed against my back. I stopped breathing. My whole body froze, and my heart raced uncontrollably in my chest. Large, firm hands landed on each side of my hips and squeezed tightly, pulling them against his body.